PNJ best photos of 2018: Gregg Pachkowski

Hundreds of people snap cell phone photos of Air Force One as it pulls up during the Trump rally at the ST Engineering Hanger at the Pensacola International Airport in Pensacola on Saturday, November 3, 2018. You have to love modern technology! I love the sea of hundreds of cell phones all snapping away.(Photo11: Gregg Pachkowski, Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com)Buy Photo

In fact, 2018 had one of the biggest highs of my life — both figuratively and literally — as I was honored to fly with the Blue Angels. Soaring thousands of feet above Pensacola and the Gulf of Mexico in an F/A-18 Hornet was a thrill of a lifetime! I thank #7 Lt. Cmdr. Andre Webb, crew chief Kyle Wood, the whole Blue Angels team, retiring Naval Air Station Pensacola spokesman Patrick Nichols, and everyone at NAS Pensacola for the awesome experience.

The lowest point of the year was covering the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in nearby Panama City. Whole neighborhoods were destroyed and hundreds of people were left homeless. While it is never fun covering such events, seeing the outpouring of support from around the country and the strength of the residents to overcome this disaster first hand was truly inspirational.

My favorite images from the past year include these highs and lows and everything in between.

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PNJ photojournalist Gregg Pachkowski takes a selfie as he flies over downtown Pensacola during his flight with the Blue Angels on October 31, 2018. Flying with the Blue Angels was truly an honor and a thrill of a lifetime. We were granted special permission to fly over downtown, so this photo has added meaning to me. Thanks again to Lt. Cmdr. Andre Webb, the Blue Angels, and everyone at NAS Pensacola! Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

MMA fighter Hannah Goldy, 26, holds her child as she is declared the winner of her match during Island Fights 46 at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola on Thursday, February 8, 2018. I love the contrast between strength and tenderness captured in this image. Here is a blood and sweat covered, muscular fighter who is almost out of the moment as she and her child smile sweetly at each other. Gregg Pachkowski, Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Hundreds of people snap cell phone photos of Air Force One as it pulls up during the Trump rally at the ST Engineering Hanger at the Pensacola International Airport in Pensacola on Saturday, November 3, 2018. You have to love modern technology! I love the sea of hundreds of cell phones all snapping away. Gregg Pachkowski, Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Blake Cordova (7) dives at a waiting Daniel Canto (10) at third base during the Region 1-7A playoff baseball game between Pace and Creekside high schools at Pace High School on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. I love this image because it is the peak action of such a close play that makes you wonder if the runner was safe or out. As it turned out, Cordova dislodged the ball during his dive and safely took the base. Gregg Pachkowski, Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Roy Jones Jr. prepares for the final fight of his career at the Island Fights at the Pensacola Bay Center on Thursday, February 8, 2018. This legendary fighter looks so solemn as he gets taped up for his last fight. It makes you wonder what is going through his mind. Plus, if you look closely at the left of the image, you can see a photo of his small children keeping watch over the event. Gregg Pachkowski, Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Eagles quarterback Ladarius Clardy (2) fumbles away the ball near their own goal line leading to a Bulldogs touchdown during the Crestview vs Pine Forest playoff football game at Pine Forest High School on Friday, November 16, 2018. I think the expression on Clardy’s face tells the story as he loses control of the ball. Unfortunately, the Eagles' season came to an end in this 49-19 playoff loss… but they should be very proud of their excellent season. Gregg Pachkowski, Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Ken Brown looks at the damage inside his house for the first time since Hurricane Michael stormed through the Calloway area of Panama City, Florida on Monday, October 15, 2018. This image was symbolic of the mass destruction that was caused by Hurricane Michael – one of the biggest news events of 2018. Gregg Pachkowski, Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Damean Bivins (2) leaps over Tigers defender (2) for extra yardage during the PHS vs Pace football game at Pace High School in Pace on Friday, August 31, 2018. Gregg Pachkowski, Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Taylor Brasher, 11, left, and C.J. Shannon, 12, take a break from the parade action to check out the bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. during the MLK Day Parade in downtown Pensacola on Monday, January 15, 2018. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Wide receiver Quentin Randolph (29) hangs on to the ball as he falls to the ground during the Carson-Newman vs University of West Florida football game at Blue Wahoos stadium in Pensacola on Thursday, August 30, 2018. Gregg Pachkowski, Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com

Chief Petty Officer selectees do calisthenics in the surf along the beach during an early morning physical training session at Gulf Island's National Seashore in Perdido Key on Wednesday, September 12, 2018. Gregg Pachkowski/gregg@pnj.com